How to Seek Peace and Pursue It

Fruit of the Spirit Series

Peace is one of our greatest needs. We long for peace, peace within ourselves, in our relationships, and in the world. Yet, it seems we don’t know how to find peace, let alone how the fruit of the Spirit peace grows. In order for peace to grow, we must seek peace and pursue it (Psalm 34:14, 1 Peter 3:11). 

Peace Starts with Jesus

Jesus Himself is our peace (Ephesians 2:14). We need Jesus personally. Peace in the world, our relationships, and within ourselves starts with Jesus. 

We need to be right with Jesus and have peace with God first. 

“Therefore, since we have been made right in God’s sight by faith, we have peace with God because of what Jesus Christ our Lord has done for us.” (Romans 5:1, NLT)

Jesus died on the cross for us, for our sins (John 3:16). And the punishment that was upon Jesus brought us peace (Isaiah 53:5). Because of who Jesus is and what He’s done for us, we can have peace.

But we need to receive Jesus as our Lord and Savior first. 

Peace starts with Jesus.

Peace is Found Only in Jesus’ Presence

Seeking peace and pursing it means seeking Jesus, pursuing Him, and being in His presence. Only in Jesus can peace be found. The fruit of the Spirit peace starts with Jesus. Peace is found only in His presence.

Jesus said, “In me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world” (John 16:33).

How exhilarating it is to know that even when chaos and tribulation swirl around us in our world trying to choke our peace, we can have peace in Jesus. 

There is peace in His presence.

A Time to Uproot Weeds of Peace

In the world we will have tribulation. Our Enemy, the Devil, plants seeds of weeds. While many weeds can choke peace, such as fear, hatred, and violence, there’s one that often gets overlooked as a primary weed of peace. But it’s something we all do, probably every day, even if we’re unaware.

We worry.

Worry is a weed of peace. 

Fascinating Fact: The very first definition of worry in Merriam-Webster’s dictionary is “choke and strangle.”

If that’s not the definition of a weed, I don’t know what is. Weeds choke and strangle the desired plant. The weed of worry chokes out the fruit of peace.

Worry, if not uprooted, will take over. It will produce harm in us and others. Worry is mental distress or agitation that results from concern for something impending or anticipated. Worry, like weeds, grows quickly into anxiety and fear, and will disturb our peace of mind.

Worry’s painful and persistent affliction will choke and strangle our peace.

Worry doesn’t help anything. It just gets us tense and frazzled. In Matthew 6:25-34, Jesus instructs us, “do not worry about your life…Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?”

No, and yet, we worry. 

Whenever I don’t spend enough time in Jesus’ presence, seeking His peace and pursuing it, I begin to worry. Unfortunately, I’m unaware I’m worrying sometimes. In fact, I may call it concern. 

If you ever hear me say, “I’m concerned about…” warn me, will you? Because often worry camouflages as a healthy concern. It’s sneaky that way.

Worry is like crabgrass, a weed that entangles many lawns, mine included. 

Crabgrass camouflages too. It’s green, which makes it appear to look like the good grass from a distance. But when you get close to it, you see a crabby weed taking over the space where the good grass is supposed to be growing.

According to Crabgrasslawn.com, “Crabgrass is one of the worst lawn weeds thriving even during the hot season. When your lawn isn’t growing actively, crabgrass continues to grow and thrive, taking over your lawn within a short period. Without the right crabgrass control measures, you’ll struggle to break the cycle of the weed and get rid of it completely.”

Worry is one of the worst weeds to our mind and soul. When our peace isn’t growing actively, worry will take over, and continue to grow and thrive. Without seeking peace and pursuing it, we will struggle to break the cycle of worry and get rid of it.

We need to seek peace and pursue it. We need to be in Jesus’ presence to do that. Jesus is our control measure.

Jesus said, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid” (John 14:27, NIV).

Worry causes our minds distress and agitation, but peace brings calm, rest, and harmony. When we remain in Jesus’ presence, we experience peace within ourselves. 

The fruit of the Spirit peace grows inside of us when we are in the presence of Jesus. Then peace begins to produce more seeds of peace so those around us will benefit too. 

A Time to Plant Peace and Reap a Harvest of Righteousness

God tells us “a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace” (James 3:18, ESV). In other words, peacemakers plant seeds of peace, then a harvest of righteousness happens.

God’s people are supposed to be the peacemakers so that we can help Him plant seeds of peace.

If we’re not in the presence of Jesus, we’re not living in peace. Then we’re unable to plant seeds of peace. We certainly can’t produce a bounty of righteousness without planting peace.

The world is full of hatred, fear, and violence right now. People are full of worry. It’s more important than ever to seek peace and pursue it. Jesus says if we seek Him, we will find Him. If we find Him, we will find peace. 

Jesus is calling us to be in His presence. In Him, we find our peace. Let Jesus uproot the weeds that are choking our peace. 

In Jesus, the fruit of the Spirit grows. In Jesus alone, our souls can be at peace. When our souls are at peace, then as far as it depends on us, we can live at peace with everyone (Romans 12:18).

If we remain in Jesus’ presence, our peace will grow, and we will have seeds of peace to plant. How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news to others, proclaiming peace (Isaiah 52:7).  If we seek peace and pursue it, a harvest of righteous can be sown.

Let’s be peacemakers. Seek peace and pursue it. May the harvest of righteousness be plentiful.

Blessing

May the Lord of peace himself give you his peace at all times and in every situation. The Lord be with you all. (2 Thessalonians 3:16, NLT).